Are New Year's resolutions a waste of time?

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Each year, we set ourselves the same old challenges: Eat less, waste less, move more, earn more... but are we ever going to achieve these goals or are they just pointless empty promises that will always get shifted on to next year's to-do list?

My New Year's resolution this year is to stop making New Year's resolutions. Because 2008 proved to me that just when you think you've got it all planned out, life will suddenly take you by surprise and carry you off in completely the opposite direction, anyway. So what's the point of making promises? You may as well just go with the flow and enjoy the ride.

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Take last NYE. There I was talking about the future with my long-term boyfriend and planning my freelance career in London. 2008 was looking like a year of stability, coupledom and career focus.

Little did I know I was about to go through a break-up, move to Barcelona for four months by myself, learn to speak Spanish, write a book and meet an amazing new man. I mean, those are the kind of pie-in-the-sky New Year's resolutions I used to spout years ago, to which my mates would respond, "Yeah, yeah, whatever Georgia. Aren't they the same resolutions you drag out every year?"

But this year, out of the blue, I achieved them all ... and with zero planning. The thing is, I'm not very good at planning or deadlines (just ask Mars, he's waiting for me to hand this column in as we speak). If I tell myself I must achieve something by a certain date, a stubborn part of my brain - the planning and organisation part - refuses to cooperate. So resolutions = kiss of death. Only when I leave things to fate do I find myself achieving goals left, right and centre. Spontaneity is the key.

Take the losing weight thing. Back in January, I swore I was going to lose that extra half a stone. Indeed, I have spent half the year surgically attached to a cross trainer. But the scales wouldn't budge. Then last week, when I realised I had 30,000 words to write for my book in the space of a week, I reluctantly decided it was time to put the gym on hold. What happens? I lose half a stone in a week through stress.

There are a few possibilities on the horizon for me in 2009 and they're far too exciting to risk losing them by committing them to resolutions. So this year I'm keeping my dreams well and truly under wraps. Happy New Year!

Well, it looks like 2009 is going to be every bit as mental as 2008 if those 'shocking' Before and After pics of actress and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant Claire Sweeney 'piling on the pounds' for a new weight gain documentary are anything to go by. I'm sorry but how many of you had to check twice to see which was the Before pic and which was the After?

We are told that for six weeks Claire gorged herself in a selfless bid to show just how easy it is to become obese. Six weeks and she comes up with that?! I've got a turkey and ham straining beneath my Christmas jumper which took just 24 hours to get into place.

Bloody Claire and her crusade to show us the personal and social consequences of being overweight. Bah, I'll have another humbug.

I guess what 's bugging me is that it's that time of year again when everyone's telling us what we need to do to be happier and healthier in 2009.
Banish those man-boobs - Simon Cowell-stylee - with 200 daily press-ups and a run along a beach in Barbados. Or learn a new skill and take to the ice like Torvill & Dean and the next batch of Chris Fountains and Suzanne Shaws. Shut up shut up shut uppp!

Why do we have to deal with all our terrible failings now when we're weak from overindulgence? When our bellies are too full and our minds too empty?
Can't we have a New Year's armistice? How about getting all New Year's resolutions handed in by 1 June when there's a fighting chance the sun will be out and we really will want to look our beach wear best? A time of year when no one's piling your plate high with meat and five veg and not every cup of coffee need be accompanied by an individually wrapped collection of chocolates.

Right now there's just too much temptation. After all, what is the point of everyone giving you all these chocs, choice meats and chutneys if you can't enjoy them for a little while longer? Why does a season of giving have to be immediately followed by a season of regret?

And if, like Claire Sweeney, you're worried about those extra pounds. Fear not. Just stick some proper clothes on and have another truffle. Happy New Year!

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